Hooda lashes out at Bhajan Lal

Chandigarh, May 9 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today made a veiled attack on his strong political opponent Bhajan Lal, holding him responsible for corruption in the state.

''These were the people who were responsible for rampant corruption in the state,'' Mr Hooda said in an apparent reference to ex-chief minister Bhajan Lal who was disqualified as an MLA under anti-defection law after he launched a new political outfit Haryana Janhit Congress.

The Chief Minister was addressing an election meeting at village Rithal to seek votes for Congress candidate Jagbir Singh Malik from Gohana constituency where by-election would be held on May 22.

He said this by-election was being held as Gohana legislator Dharampal Malik had quit the party. He pointed out that Mr Malik was not concerned about the people and development of the area but was dedicated to those responsible for bad state of affairs in the state.

''These were the people who were responsible for rampant corruption in the state. How a candidate who has been a follower of a corrupt could be a well wisher of the people?'' he wondered.

He regretted that Gohana could not get desired development because the legislator of the area did not cooperate during the past three years.

Mr Hooda said that although he had sanctioned crores of rupees for implementation of development works during the last three years and works were in progress, yet he was not satisfied with the pace of development in the area.

He said he was prepared to have an open debate with both former Chief Ministers Bhajan Lal and Om Prakash Chautala on the issue of development.

He also criticised them both for not taking any step to increase generation of power during their respective tenures as chief ministers.